Ellen (Emmi) Thiessen (nee Stiegler) (nee Hansen)

June 18, 1915 – June 2, 2011

Ellen (Omi) died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. Born in Flensburg, Germany, Ellen was predeceased by her first husband, Andreas Hansen in 1944, her second husband and soul mate, Hermann Thiessen in 2010 and her son, Gerhard Hansen in 1998. Ellen leaves behind her sister, Gunda Koch, of Germany; son, Herbert (Magdalena) Hansen of Coquitlam, BC; daughter, Irma (Willi) Mars of Victoria, BC; grandchildren, Leza (Don) Muir, Andrew (Sharon) Hansen, Linda (Jody) Becker, Sandra (John) Jones, Diane (John) Pennington, Renee (Dan) Giesbrecht, Ramona (Mark) Peaty and Ingrid (Bohdan) Jarisz; great-grandchildren, Tara, Heidi, Deborah, Christopher, Karina, Alex, Jeffrey, Steven, Tasha, Hailey, Tristan, Rachel, Nicholas, Daniel and Keagon and great-great grandchildren, Raven, Logan and Evan. Our “Omi” witnessed two World Wars growing up and lost both a father and husband in battle. As a young woman in northern Germany, Ellen spent her days helping on the family farm and was famous for her cow milking proficiency! Ellen was not afraid of hard work and long days. She found time to enjoy gymnastics and the village dances where she met her first husband, Andreas Hansen, They would start a family and Andreas would dream of being the village butcher in Jubek, Germany. With 3 young children, Ellen would receive the news her husband was killed in battle in Italy. Through her strength, determination and amazing love for her children, Ellen would continue on to raise her family alone. A few years later, she met her soul mate Hermann, who helped complete the emptiness in her heart. Dreams of a better life in Canada, the family set sail for Montreal, Quebec and arrived in 1956 by train to Vancouver, BC where Ellen and Hermann would live for over 27 years. Their new Canadian lives started in New Westminster, then a move to Hurst Street in Burnaby and later to the West End near English Bay. Ellen had no fear of this new land and was determined to earn her own living first by managing and heading the cleaning staff for the Villa Hotels and later managing a 46-suite rental apartment building where they lived (Pat Rose Place). When she wasn’t working, Omi enjoyed the city life of Vancouver and spent many hours at the beach, shopping on Robson Strasse (St.) and drives through Stanley Park. Omi always had a welcoming home, enjoyed entertaining family and was a special spirit to all who knew her. Ellen was a amazing gardener and lover of all animals including her pet Seagull “Thomas” and squirrels who frequented Pat Rose Place. After retirement in 1983, Ellen and Hermann moved to Cormorant Street in Victoria and enjoyed many years at Denby Place. They often hosted family birthdays and celebrations which included Omi’s amazing cooking and favourite Dutch Bakery treats. Omi enjoyed puttering on her balcony and tending her flower collection, walks along Willows Beach, ice cream stops at Beacon Drive Inn and shopping at Eaton Centre. Despite an incredible amount of courage and determination, blindness and difficulty walking made it hard for Ellen to care for her home and her husband and both moved to Mt St. Mary’s in July 2005. Ellen enjoyed her remaining years with her husband and family close by. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you for the quality care and compassion shown over the past 5 years by all of the staff and caregivers at Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital. Our entire family of 5 generations will miss you Mom and Omi – schlaf schoen (“sleep well”).

A Graveside Service will be held at Royal Oak Burial Park, 4673 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Ellen (Omi’s) Life at McCall’s Sequoia Gardens Memorial, 4665 Falaise Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation, 861 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC V8V 5A9. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.